Author: Vardiafrica

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed three major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering migration partnership, organised immigration crime, border security, and expanded business visas for UK firms operating in Nigeria. The agreements were announced in a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on its X handle on Thursday, as part of ongoing engagements during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was quoted as saying that the deals “reflect Nigeria’s push for a transparent, rules-based migration system that is safe, orderly and mutually beneficial,” adding that they would help tackle “abuse…

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, March 19, criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of failing to condemn Israel and the United States’ war with the Islamic republic, while voicing concern over Tehran’s retaliation. On Wednesday, Macron called for imposing a moratorium on strikes after Iran attacked Qatar’s key Ras Laffan facilities, part of the world’s largest gas field. The strikes followed an attack on Iranian facilities in the same gas field, which it shares with Qatar. The following day, the French president warned of a “reckless escalation” as Iran struck a series of Gulf energy sites after…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended the signing of a £746 million financing agreement in London between Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, led by Wale Edun, and Citibank. The deal, signed in the United Kingdom on Thursday, March 19, is aimed at modernising the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos. It is expected to ease congestion, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s overall trade capacity. Both ports are among the country’s most vital infrastructure, forming the backbone of its maritime trade and logistics network. The Lagos Port Complex, widely known as Apapa Port, serves as a major gateway for imports…

US President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up a major gas field in Iran if it attacks the US’s Gulf Arab ally Qatar again. Trump’s threat came after a day in which Israel hit Iran’s South Pars – part of the world’s largest natural gas field. Tehran retaliated by striking an energy complex in Qatar, causing “extensive damage” and leading to a spike in energy prices. While Israel has not officially confirmed its attack on the gas field, the US president said the US “knew nothing” about its ally, which had “violently lashed out” at Iran “out of anger…

President Bola Tinubu has met Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. They met on the steps of 10 Downing Street in central London on Thursday. The president’s historic state visit to the UK is the first state visit by a Nigerian president in 37 years (since the last one before the return to democracy in 1999). Tinubu arrived in the UK on Tuesday, where he was received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. The visit included royal engagements, a state banquet, and discussions on various bilateral issues. It involved…

Lionel Messi became only the second player in history to reach 900 top-level career goals when he scored in Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC on Wednesday. The Argentina international scored the landmark goal after just seven minutes at Geodis Park in Tennessee in the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second leg tie. The 38-year-old forward has found the back of the net 81 times in 92 appearances since signing in June 2023 to help Inter Miami win the League Cup and MLS Cup. Messi – regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time – has also scored a…

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has declared his readiness to defend himself against allegations of financial misconduct, maintaining that he remains proud of his record in office. In a recent interview conducted in Hausa, Malami accused security agencies of violating his constitutional rights during the investigation into his affairs. He alleged that operatives carried out searches on his homes and business premises without prior notice or his presence. “I have spent time in custody with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, at Kuje Prison, and with the Department of State Services. “I believe it…

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has affirmed that Senegal retains the right to challenge the controversial decision that stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, stressing that no country will receive preferential treatment. Motsepe stated this in a video interview published by CAF on Wednesday, addressing the fallout from the disputed AFCON 2025 final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team. “And I’m told that Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important. Every one of the 54 nations in Africa has a right…

Drones struck a Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea and caused fires at two others in Kuwait as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure on Thursday. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the industrial zone of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, adding that damage assessment was underway. Yanbu is the destination of Petroline, the overland oil pipeline that gives Saudi exports an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz — currently choked off by Iran. Thursday’s attacks follow major damage at the world’s biggest gas hub, Qatar’s Ras Laffan, on…

Iran’s soccer chief says it has no intention of boycotting the FIFA World Cup, even if the team does not travel to the United States. Iran is currently in negotiations with FIFA to have its group stage matches moved away from the US Iran is currently scheduled to open its World Cup campaign with a clash against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15. The Iranian national team is continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and has no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if it will not travel to the United…